The University of Northern Iowa Athletics Department announced the launch of the Ever Loyal Club, a rebrand of the long-standing Panther Scholarship Club, aimed at increasing clarity and transparency in how donor funds are used amid changes across NCAA Division 1 athletics.
The rebrand comes during a period of transformation within college athletics, including new financial models that have reshaped how athletic departments allocate their resources. One of the most notable developments for UNI Athletics this past year was the implementation of Competitive Excellence Funds, a revenue-sharing program that supports all Panther sports programs.
While sport-specific programs will continue to provide designated support to their individual teams, the Ever Loyal Club will place an emphasis on the importance of unrestricted funds within the department’s overall budget.
“The Ever Loyal Club builds on a vision started in 1963 with the founding of The Century Club,” said UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin. “The idea then, and as it continues to be today, was to cultivate the passion fans have for Panther Athletics into donations to support the student-athlete experience at UNI.”
Funds raised through the Ever Loyal Club are unrestricted, meaning they are not designated for a specific sport, department or project. Instead, donations support a wide-range of student-athlete needs, including scholarships, academic and support services, nutrition, equipment and other essential operational expenses.
According to the athletics department, this funding model allows UNI to respond more effectively to evolving needs across all programs while ensuring student-athletes are positioned for success both in competition and in the classroom.
“The Ever Loyal name celebrates Panther Pride, referenced in the UNI Fight Song,” said Franklin. “It puts into practice the loyalty of members who have transformed UNI Athletics from 1963 to today.”
In addition to the name and visual identity change, the rebrand also introduces a reevaluation of giving levels and donor benefits. The Ever Loyal Club will offer fewer giving tiers, with an increased focus on personalizing individual giving plans and benefits based on what matters most to each donor. Additional details regarding updated benefits will be shared directly with members during the upcoming renewal cycle.
The announcement follows a record-breaking fundraising year for the Panther Scholarship Club. During the 2025 fund drive, the organization raised $1,576,146 from 1,133 members, marking the first year-over-year increase in membership since 2015. The campaign also brought 278 new members, the highest number of new donors since 2011.
The Ever Loyal Club is governed by a board of directors led by President Mark Scheel and Vice President Chris Larimer. Board members include Nikki Hudnutt, Kris Christensen, Polly Jacobson, Ann Kuhter, Brady Gruhn, Kelsey Randall, Ashley Johnson, Corrine True, Sam Koch and Doug Ross.
The Ever Loyal Club traces its roots back more than six decades. In 1963, then-head football coach Stan Sheriff helped launch The Century Club, a fundraising initiative that encouraged 100 supporters to donate $100 each. While that original goal was not fully met, the first campaign raised $6,000 and laid the foundation for what would become a central pillar of athletic fundraising at UNI.
Over time, the organization evolved into The Athletic Club, later the Panther Scholarship Club, consistently focused on supporting student-athletes both academically and athletically.
Today, with more than 1,130 active members in 2025, the Ever Loyal Club continues that mission, serving as the primary fundraiser for UNI Athletics.
More information about the Ever Loyal Club and the rebrand is available at SupportThePanthers.com.
